Dunedin Children’s Choir Joins City Choir Dunedin In Singing The Songs Of Africa

We are pleased that the Dunedin Children’s Choir will join City Choir on stage in this concert. Led by choral director Natasha Manowitz, the Dunedin Children's Choir was formed in 2023 for 7–15-year-olds in the Dunedin region. The Children’s Choir offers a supportive environment where children can discover the joy of singing, enhance their vocal abilities and develop their musicianship, fostering a lifelong love of music.

In 2010 City Choir Dunedin presented the Australasian première of Alexander L’Estrange’s song cycle: Zimbe! Come Sing the Songs of Africa. “This infectiously joyful and energetic community show had the audience clapping along and won all performers a standing ovation” and “a huge crowd singing at full throttle is tremendously exhilarating and a sight to gladden the world-weary” a reviewer wrote.

Now, 15 years later, City Choir is again presenting this song cycle with the combined forces of City Choir and the Dunedin Children’s Choir, accompanied by a jazz ensemble of Bill Martin (piano), Nick Cornish (saxophone), Andy Lynch (bass), Carl Woodward (drums) and Alex Burchell (percussion). City Choir does not often perform with a jazz ensemble, but for Zimbe! the jazz musicians will enhance the rhythm and movement called for by the African folk music. David Burchell is the conductor.

L’Estrange, known for his creative versatility, describes Zimbe! as “coming from the seeds of my affinity with African music and the gospel tradition”. The Oxford graduate has collected traditional songs and backed them with jazz. The collection reflects the role of music in everyday life in Africa – from sunrise to sunset, or as the song “Ilanga libuya, ilanga liyaphuma” more optimistically puts it “the sun sets… the sun rises”. The young voices of the children will lend authenticity to two of the Zimbe! songs, both originating from Ghana: “Sansa Kroma” (playground song) and “Pete Pete!” (children’s song celebrating food and family). Zimbe! brings together soulful melodies, energetic rhythms, and infectious harmonies that showcase the rich musical traditions of Africa. It is a sound filled with sunshine and dust, sadness and joy, spirituality, hope and defiance, suffering and celebration, poverty and unity.

Other items on the programme include the a cappella works The Word Was God by Rosephanye Powell, and Three Spirituals by David Hamilton.

Perfect for all ages, this concert will create a powerful and uplifting experience. Don’t miss the opportunity to be transported by the joyful spirit of Zimbe! —music that will leave your heart singing and your feet tapping!

Event Details:

What: City Choir Dunedin presents Zimbe! African Folk with a Jazz Twist

When: Saturday 12 July, at 7:00 pm

Where: Knox Church, 449 George Street, Dunedin

Conductor: David Burchell

Choirs: City Choir Dunedin and Dunedin Children’s Choir

Jazz Quintet: Bill Martin (piano), Nick Cornish (saxophone), Andy Lynch (bass), Carl Woodward (drums) and Alex Burchell (percussion)

Tickets: Available at MusicWorks, Lower Stuart Street (cash only), online via Eventfinda https://tinyurl.com/zimbe or phone 0800 289 849 (booking fees apply)

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